In a recent private email exchange about Zohran Mamdani’s (D) New York City mayoral candidacy, a top aide to AFT President Randi Weingarten drew parallels to what happened when teachers union-backed Brandon Johnson was elected mayor of Chicago. Since his victory, Johnson's approval rating has since plunged to the 20s.

“Winning an election," he aide warned, "does not necessarily translate into the ability to govern.”

That email diagnoses a core problem ailing today’s Democratic Party: It caves to special interests now and asks questions later.

I type these words with sadness because I barely recognize the party that nominated Bill Clinton for president in 1992, when I worked on his campaign then worked in his White House as a young staffer.

Not long ago, American mayors were leading the way to a future rooted in abundance, not scarcity.

Independent New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Democratic Los Angeles........

© The Hill